THIS WEEK - 17-23 SEPTEMBER 2011
SATURDAY
Get lost in Austen
More than 500 people in Regency costume promenaded through the streets of Bath as part of the annual Jane Austen Festival. Teachers can celebrate the syllabus staple with events running until tomorrow.
SUNDAY
Pet policy unleashed
The Liberal Democrats pushed through plans for a “pupil premium plus” at their annual conference in Birmingham. However, children’s minister Sarah Teather pointed out that more money was unlikely to be forthcoming.
MONDAY
Elitism claim
A Government obsession with the dreaming spires of Oxbridge will hinder social mobility, new universities claimed. Million+, which represents ex-polytechnics, claims ministers focus too much on elite institutions.
TUESDAY
Hurt for Mrs Blurt
A row erupted over personal email accounts being used in the Department for Education. To the list of names dreamt up by teachers for education secretary Michael Gove, add Mrs Blurt, his apparent electronic nom-de-plume.
WEDNESDAY
Welsh crusade continues
Welsh education minister Leighton Andrews continued his crusade on standards. Plans were announced for four councils to join their education departments together in a bid to improve results.
THURSDAY
Seldon on academies
The indomitable Anthony Seldon hosted a conference at Wellington College on how independents should get involved with the academies programme. Talk of the benefits of private-school “DNA” is widely predicted.
FRIDAY
One day it could be you
Bestselling author turned screenwriter David Nicholls speaks to the inaugural First Story Festival to promote writing in secondaries. Pupils and teachers from over 20 schools will attend the event at Broughton Castle.
NEXT WEEK - 24-30 SEPTEMBER 2011
SATURDAY
Eid celebrations
The end of Ramadan will be marked with the annual Eid in the Square celebrations in Trafalgar Square, central London. The free event will include live music and theatre.
SUNDAY
A huh-huh hoot of a time
It will be “one for the money” at what is billed as the largest Elvis event in the world. The three-day Porthcawl Elvis Festival, closing today, includes an “Elvis in Vegas” show, and the “Elvies” awards for impersonators.
MONDAY
Prep schools on society
The Independent Association of Prep Schools’ annual get-together begins in Birmingham. Discussion of traditional curriculums is being put to one side, with the focus instead on “key relationships in shaping society”.
TUESDAY
Ticket to increased funding
Media baron Richard Desmond launches the Health Lottery, a new game expected to generate #163;50 million a year for health charities. No plans are yet known for a gambling solution to squeezed education budgets.
WEDNESDAY
Labour’s turn at the podium
The Labour conference in Liverpool will see shadow education secretary Andy Burnham bash the Tories (probably), and reveal some new policies (hopefully). Possible plans could be to scrap the five good GCSEs measure.
THURSDAY
KS1 assessments published
Results of national curriculum assessments of seven-year-olds in England to be published. Expect national newspaper hand-wringing about children not being able to read, despite about 85 per cent being likely to hit targets.
FRIDAY
Heads vote on strike action
Members of heads’ union the NAHT will begin to receive ballot papers on industrial action over pensions. A yes-vote could see heads taking unprecedented strike action by the end of November.
